Apparatus and methods for applying liquids to fabrics

ABSTRACT

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS TO A CONTINUOUSLY MOVABLE FABRIC WEB WHEREIN THE LIQUID TO BE APPLIED IS SPRAYED ONTO A DISTRIBUTING PLATE OVERLYING THE FABRIC WEB AND HAVING ITS LOWER EDGE IN CONTACT WITH THE FABRIC WEB. A RECIPROCABLE BRUSH MAY ENGAGE THE DISTRIBUTING PLATE TO ASSURE UNIFORM DISPERSION OF THE LIQUID OVER THE SURFACE OF THE PLATE. THE DISTRIBUTING PLATE MAY BE VIBRATED TO EFFECT UNIFORM DISPERSION OF THE LIQUID OVER THE SURFACE OF THE PLATE.   D R A W I N G

sept- 26, 1972 V M. SCHUIERER 3,694,142

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS T0 FABRICS Filed Dec. 21. 19-10 FIGB INVENTOR MANFRED SCHUIERER BY, W

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 01 hoe 3,594,142 Patented Sept. 26, 1972 3,694,142 APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS T FABRICS Manfred Schuierer, Erbach, Odenwald, Germany, assignor to Bruckner-Apparatebau Michelstadt G.m.b.H.,

Erbach, Odenwald, Germany Filed Dec. 21, 1970, Ser. No. 99,927 Claims priority, application Germany, Dec. 23, 1969, P 19 64 594.4 Int. Cl. 1305c 5/00 US. Cl. 8-451 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus and methods for applying liquids to a continuously movable fabric web wherein the liquid to be applied is sprayed onto a distributing plate overlying the fabric web and having its lower edge in contact with the fabric web. A reciprocable brush may engage the distributing plate to assure uniform dispersion of the liquid over the surface of the plate. The distributing plate may be vibrated to effect uniform dispersion of the liquid over the surface of the plate.

This invention relates to the application of liquids to fabrics and more particularly to the uniform coating of a continuously moving web of fabric with liquids discharged from spray nozzles.

In the application of liquids such as dyes, chemicals, or the like, to continuously moving webs of fabrics it is conventional to soak the fabric in liquid contained in a tank and thereafter lead the fabric web between rolls or cylinders which expel excess liquid from the fabric. In many cases, however, difiiculty is encountered in effecting movement of the fabric web along the desired path. As a consequence, it has been proposed heretofore to apply liquids to continuously moving webs of fabrics by means of spray nozzles arranged in rows extending transversely to the direction of movement of fabric. In the use of spray nozzles, however, it is difiicult to insure uniform distribution of the liquid to the fabric, particularly in the regions where the sprays from adjacent nozzles overlap. Moreover, spray nozzles frequently become clogged, even when the liquids discharged therefrom are free of foreign matter. As a consequence, it has been difficult heretofore to achieve uniform coating of fabric with liquids.

The principal object of this invention is to provide apparatus and methods for assuring uniform coating of a continuously moving web of fabric and utilizing liquid spraying devices.

The objectives of the invention are achieved by interposing between the liquid spray nozzles and the fabric to be coated a baffie or distributing plate inclined downwardly and obliquely to the path of the web and onto which the liquid is sprayed. The lower or run-off edge of the distributing plate preferably contacts the fabric so that the moving fabric draws a uniform film of liquid from the distributing plate. If desired, the baffle plate can be vibrated transversely to the direction of movement of the fabric so as to assure uniform dispersion of the liquid over the plate. In addition, or alternatively, a brush in engagement with the plate or liquid thereon may be reciprocated transversely of the plate or, alternatively, the brush may be stationary and the plate reciprocated transversely of the path of movement of the fabric so as to assure uniform dispersion of the liquid over the surface of the plate.

The invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, side elevational view of apparatus constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic, side elevational view of an other embodiment of the invention.

The apparatus disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 is adapted for use in conjunction with a web 1 of fabric which is moved continuously from left to right by any conventional means. The liquid coating apparatus comprises a spray tube 2 connected by a conduit 2' and a pump P to a source (not shown) of liquid to be applied to the fabric web 1. The tube 2 mounts at least one row of discharge, spray nozzles arranged transversely of the path of movement of the web 1 and through which liquid may be sprayed in the direction of the arrow 3. Interposed between the spray nozzles and the web 1 is a battle or distributing plate 4 which has a width not less, and preferably greater, than that of the web. The plate is inclined downwardly and obliquely to the path of movement of the web 1 and has its lower or run-off edge 4a in engagement with the web 1.

The nozzles of the spray tube 2 are so arranged that the liquid discharged from the nozzles impinges on the upper surface of the plate 4 at an angle which isnot greater than 45 and preferably less than 45, so as to facilitate flow of the liquid over the surface of the plate to form a uniform film.

If desired, the plate 4 may be reciprocated transversely of the path of movement of the web 1 by a motor driven, rotary eccentric drive mechanism 4b of known construction. The vibration of the plate 4 facilitates spreading of the liquid over the upper surface of the plate 4 in a uniform film. Alternatively, or in conjunction with the vibration of the plate 4, a brush 5 may be supported in any suitable manner above the plate 4, the brush having bristles or teeth operable to engage liquid on the plate 4. The brush may be reciprocated or vibrated transversely of the path of the web 1 by conventional, motor driven, eccentric drive means 5a so as to spread the liquid in a uniform film over the upper surface of the plate 4.

The apparatus disclosed in FIG. 3 includes the spray tube 2, but in this instance the nozzles are so arranged that the liquid is discharged rearwardly of the direction of movement of the web 1 as is indicated by the arrows 3. In the path of liquid discharged from the nozzles is a generally C-shaped baffle or distributing plate 4' and against the upper portion of which the sprayed liquid impinges at an angle which preferably is considerably less than 45. Liquid discharged from the spray tube 2 onto the plate 4' spreads over the surface thereof so as to form a uniform film and is withdrawn from the plate by the moving web 1 which contacts the lower or run-off edge of the plate 4'.

Beneath the spray tube 2 is an interceptor plate 7 onto which any drops or droplets from the nozzles of the spray tube may fall. The plate 7 is inclined downwardly and extends sufiiciently far rearwardly of the run-off edge of the plate 4 so that drops of liquid discharged from the plate 7 will fall onto the plate 4', rather than onto the web.

Although it is not shown in the drawing, it will be understood that the plate 4' may be vibrated by an eccentric mechanism like the mechanism 4b and that a brush similar to the brush 5 also may be utilized in conjunction with the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

The rate at which fluid is discharged from the spray tube 2 will depend upon the speed of movement of the web 11, and the web speed may vary over a wide range. Control over the quantity of liquid sprayed may be achieved in either or both of two ways. First, the spray nozzles may be selectively openable and closeable so as to vary the quantity of fluid discharged per unit of time from the spray tube. Second, the speed of the pump P may be manipulated so as to vary the quantity, or pressure, or both, of fluid in the tube 2. The speed of operation of the pump P may, if desired, be varied in direct proportion to the rate of movement of the web 1, and any conventional speed control means may be provided for this purpose.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying a liquid to a continuously moving web of fabric or the like comprising liquid distributing means overlying said web and having a lower, discharge edge in engagement therewith; means for spraying liquid onto said distributing means; and means for vibrating said distributing means.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said distributing means is inclined downwardly and forwardly in the direction of movement of said web.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein liquid sprayed onto said distributing means impinges on the latter at an angle not greater than 45 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 including brush means engageable with liquid on said distributing means.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said distributing means comprises a plate having a flat surface onto which said liquid is sprayed and having a width greater than that of said web.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said distributing means comprises a generaly C-shaped plate having a width at least as great as that of said web.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 including a drop interceptor plate interposed between said spraying means and the discharge edge of said plate.

8. A method of applying liquid to a web of fabric or the like comprising spraying a liquid onto a plate supported above said web with the lower edge of said plate in engagement with said web; moving said web relatively to said plate; and vibrating said plate to disperse liquid thereon uniformly over its surface.

-9. Apparatus for applying a liquid to a continuously moving web of fabric or the like comprising liquid distributing means overlying said web and having a lower, discharge edge in engagement therewith; means for spraying liquid onto said distributing means; brush means engageable with liquid on said distributing means, and means for reciprocating said brush means transversely of the direction of movement of said web.

10. A method of applying liquid to a web of fabric or the like comprising spraying a liquid onto a plate supported above said web with the lower edge of said plate in engagement with said web; moving said Web relatively to said plate; and reciprocating a brush relatively to said plate and in engagement with liquid thereon to disperse said liquid uniformly over the surface of said plate. 1

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 596,905 1/1898 McCoy 118120 2,537,290 l/l951 Williams et a1. 8151 1,085,820 2/1914 Pease et al 1l84l5 X 3,541,815 11/1970 Appenzeller et al. 68-200 X WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

68205 R, 3 SS; 118-415, 407, 325 

